Question

As per the ICMSF standards, the set limit for TPC in fresh and frozen fish is

• A. 10^7 cfu/g
• B. 10^9 cfu/g
• C. Nil
• D. 10^2 cfu/g

Hint:

Seafood Microbiological Standards (ICMSF): Total Plate Count (TPC) Reject Limit for Fresh/Frozen Fish = $10^7\text{ cfu/g}$. E. coli limit = $20 - 100\text{ cfu/g}$.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
International seafood bacteriological microbiological criteria: the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) establishes an upper acceptability threshold of $10^7 ext{ cfu/g}$ ($5 imes 10^5 ext{ to } 10^7 ext{ cfu/g}$) for Total Plate Count (TPC) in fresh and frozen fish.
Key Formula or Approach:
\[ \text{ICMSF 3-Class Plan for Raw/Frozen Fish: } m = 5 \times 10^5\text{ cfu/g} \quad \& \quad M = \mathbf{10^7 \text{ cfu/g (Upper Reject Limit)}} \]

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In seafood quality assurance and international microbiological standards:
- The International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) and national regulatory bodies (FSSAI EIC) classify seafood acceptability based on Total Plate Count (TPC Aerobic Plate Count APC at $30^\circ ext{C}$):
1. Good Quality Baseline ($m$): $< 5 \times 10^5\text{ cfu/g}$ ($5.7\;\log_{10}$).
2. Marginally Acceptable Maximum Limit ($M$): 10^7 cfu/g ($10,000,000\text{ cfu/g}$ $7.0\;\log_{10}$).
- Counts exceeding $10^7\text{ cfu/g}$ indicate incipient bacterial spoilage, excessive proteolytic slime/off-odors, and render the fresh/frozen fish unfit for human consumption.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the set limit as per ICMSF standards is 10^7 cfu/g, corresponding to option (A).